Pmoto-lttho



.J.M 0NROE.. LAGER FOR KNEE BRAGEIS, 6m.

Patented July 16, 1867.

JOSHUA MONROE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,*ASS1GNOR TO HIMSELEAND J. GARDNER. OFSAME PLACE.

Letters Patcnt .No. 56,728, dated Jaiy 16, 1867.

LAGER FOR KNEE-BRAGES, &'c.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it" known that I, JOSHUA MONROE, of No. .432 Broonie street, in thecity, county, and State of New York, have inventeda new and improvedLacer for Knee-Braces, ArtificialgLimbs, etc.; and I do hereby declarethat thofollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, whichwill enable those skilled in the art to make and use, the same,reference being bad to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which- Figure 1 represents a longitudinal verticalsection of this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof. I

Similar letters of reference inbo'th views indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a lacer for knee-braces, artificial limbs,splints, and other similar articles, which is constructed of two parts,laced, or otherwise connected in front and rear, in such a manner that;by adjusting the lacing-strings or fastening-s, the joint of theknee-brace, artificial limb, orsplint, can be brought in the properposition in relation to the natural knee-joint, and all lateralor unduestrain on said knee-joint and on any portion of the limb can be easilyavoided.-

A represents a laccr, which is applicable in combination with asocket,B, as a knee-brace, such as shown in the drawing,'and used in fracturesof the knee, or which can be used in connection with artificial limbs,in amputations below the knee-joint, or with splints. Said lacerconnects with the socket B by means ofthe joints C, which are composedeach 'of two bars, connected by a pivot, or which maybe constructed inany other suitable manner. The socket B is made by preference ofrawhide, and it isfi'tted on the leg below the knee, being held inposition by a lacing-string, a, in front, as clearly shown in thedrawing, or it may be secured in any other suitable manner. The lacer A,instead of being made in one piece, laced in front only, as usual, ismade in two parts, connected by lacing-strings?) c in front and rear, asshown or instead of lacing-strings, any other adjustable fastening maybe used. By this arrangement I gain the great advantage that I canadjust the joint 0 so as to bring it in the proper position in relationto the knee-joint of the limb to which the lacer is attached. With alacer of the ordinary construction the joint C is thrown in a certainposition, from which it cannot easily be moved, and if this positionhappens to be correct, the knee-brace, or artificial leg, or splint,with which said laser is used, feels comfortable and easy; but if thejoint'C'is not thrown in the proper position, the socket B binds on thelimb, and an uncomfortable feeling and injurious efiect are produced,which cannot easily be remediecl.

With my .lacer the joint G can be readily thrown in the properposition.If it happens to be-too far in front, the lacing-string in front isloosened, and that in the rear tightened, and thereby the joint C'isthrown back, and in the same manner said joint can be thrown forward,and it can be readily brought in the correct position. When my lacer isused with an artificial leg, where the limb has been amputated below theknee, I

can, by adjusting the lacing-strings or fastenings b 0, give to thestump ease' and comfort in the socket, and all lateral strain can beavoided.

WhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A lacer for knee-braces, artificial limbs, and splints, which is made intwo' parts, connected by lacingstrings, or other suitable. adjustablefastenings, in front and in the-rear, to operate in combination with thejoint 0 and socket B, substantially as and for'the purpose described.

JOSHUA MONROE.

Witnesses:

W. Hiuirr, J. VAN SANrvoonn.

